• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • 23.00mm - 483.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Samsung Galaxy Camera advantages over Pentax K-3

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1150 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 77 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher-res screen
    922k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-3 advantages over Samsung Galaxy Camera

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.91 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 3.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 560 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.14 vs 0.72 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.4 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 16 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    75 vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3

Review Excerpt

  • Powerful zoom lens; Fast processor; Huge and bright display; Modern Android operating system; Vast selection of available apps.

  • Large, heavy body; Expensive pricetag; 3G/4G data plan adds to cost; Sedate performance; Image quality doesn't compare well to other similarly sized / priced cameras.

  • Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control

  • AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals

The Competition

Compared to Samsung WB850F

Samsung Galaxy Camera
Samsung WB850F
  • $520
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $467
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
Pentax K-3
Samsung WB850F
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $467
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Samsung WB800F

Samsung Galaxy Camera
Samsung WB800F
  • $520
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
Pentax K-3
Samsung WB800F
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Nikon D7100

Samsung Galaxy Camera
Nikon D7100
  • $520
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-3
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $690
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

Samsung Galaxy Camera
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
  • $520
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $698
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Headphone jack
Pentax K-3
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $698
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Nikon D7200

Samsung Galaxy Camera
Nikon D7200
  • $520
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-3
Nikon D7200
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1016
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Compare Other Cameras?